Point Reyes Light - November 21, 2002
Pt. Reyes 10 year old suffers kidney failure
By Chez Shadman
West Marin School fifth grader, Melinda "Mindy" Borello Heinlein, after consuming Halloween treats, came down with an upset stomach. Two weeks later she remains hospitalized with e. coli, the first reported case in West Marin in more than two years.
The 10-year-old Point Reyes Station resident was admitted to Oakland Kaiser hospital on Tuesday, Nov. 5. After two days of tests her doctors confirmed she did, in fact, carry the e. coli bacteria.
Mindy’s doctors estimated this week the bacteria entered her system around Halloween. The source of the contamination still remains a mystery.
School warning
Last week, West Marin School issued a warning in the wake of Mindy’s diagnosis to all parents and children alerting them of the possibility of contamination.
At the present time, neither Pt. Reyes Medical Clinic nor Dr. Michael Whitte’s office has reported treating any children or adults with e. coli related illnesses.
Family friend Susan Swan said Mindy’s mother Linda had endured gastrointestinal problems that are characteristic of e. coli contamination. However, no confirmed bacteria passed through her system since symptoms subsided before she sought medical attention.
"Mindy’s current condition is serious but stable," said Swan. "She has already undergone seven treatments of kidney dialysis and several blood transfusions."
Bacteria acts as indicator
E. coli is a naturally occurring bacteria found in the gut of animals and humans. Presence of the bacteria simply acts as an indicator that something unsanitary has passed through the body of the animal or human.
Most e. coli bacteria cause no illness to the host. One particular strand, however, (e. coli 0157) can cause a serious illness called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS).
The HUS strand affects only about two to seven percent of those infected with e. coli, particularly children ages five and below and the elderly, a Center for Disease Control (CDC) report stated.
Mindy, is one of the unfortunate minority.
"Mindy’s infection has led to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome," said close family friend Scott Leslie. "We’re optimistic though, the nurses say they’ve had a 100 percent recovery rate [with] these kinds of cases."
Though curable, HUS is the principal cause of acute kidney failure in children in the United States, and most cases of HUS are caused by e. coli.
The CDC report also said contamination is primarily traced to undercooked meat. Other methods of contamination listed by the center include: unsanitary use of hands, particularly when handling raw meat; unpasteurized milk or juice; or unwashed vegetables and sprouts.
The last outbreak of e. coli in the area was from a batch of strawberries imported from Mexico, and handled by workers carrying the bacteria.
Impossible to track
"It will be impossible to track the actual source of Mindy’s infection," said Leslie. "What matters now is that she recovers."
Mindy is conscious and under intensive care, a close family friend told The Light on Wednesday that she was able to digest a small meal on Tuesday night.
Currently blood donors are being sought.
"She is running out of blood and we’re going to need more of it in the near future," said Swan urging anyone who can donate to contact the UCSF Blood Donor Center at 353-1809.
Those seeking more information should contact their physicians or refer to the CDC’s web site at <www.cdc.gov>.